Psoas Test

Psoas and External Oblique Test:

Strengthening my weaker left psoas and external oblique really changed my game. It has improved my chronic left low back spasm (quadratus lumborum), it improved my movement mechanics, and it's even made it possible for me to do more advanced gymnastics movements.

The psoas is a powerful hip flexor and it also flexes your trunk. It is the base of the IT chain pyramid. The 2nd layer of the pyramid is your external obliques, low abs and transversus abdominals. If your left psoas is weak, then typically the left external oblique is also weak. And your left quadratus lumborum probably has a history of going into spasm. Yes, they are related. The QL is likely the antagonist of the psoas.

I put together a video tutorial explaining how to establish which psoas and external oblique are weaker. You can get the pec stick I used here. For my post on psoas exercises, click here.

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Dr. Sara Solomon is the creator of the Fat Loss Fast System about Intermittent Fasting and Flexible Dieting. She has degrees from McGill University in dentistry (DMD) and physical therapy (B.Sc. PT). She is also a certified StrongFit Coach, CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, ACE personal trainer, NASM fitness nutrition specialist, Mad Dogg Spinning Instructor, Level 2 Buddy Lee Jump Rope Trainer and Ambassador, a Team Bodybuilding.com and BSN athlete, and a retired PRO Fitness Model. Her passion is teaching others how to fuel and move well.